Why do we put up with bad food in London?
Well, I think this is a valid statement, although it may be subjective. I’ve been to other cities around the globe and said how food is ‘generally’ not great. But I’m bombarded with food programmes, celebrity chefs, markets and pop-ups everywhere.
Then after coming back from New York for one week I’m London-bashing the food ‘generally’. So two experiences:
- Number One: It’s Friday night and after a long week back at work me and my partner decided to have a take out Chinese meal from a restaurant we have been to before. Was the quality this bad before? Did we feel this sick before? Has the management changed? Well, either way it was a let down and it sparked the debate which we have had many times before. Then we realised, it’s the same old thing. Lack of consistency and a meal that spoiled the evening.]
- Number Two: Sunday afternoon and a lovely coffee and cake is required before we begin a bit of overdue gardening. Coffee and cake. An art right? Some people do indeed treat it as an art but not this place. Stale cake and watery hot chocolate.
I’m in the market to setup a coffee shop / deli so yes the talking is well on its way to stopping but I feel it has to be said.
Is it the polite English etiquette that is so often used as an excuse for acceptance of poor food?
Is it the fact prices are so high across the supply chain that cheap ingredients play a part?
Or is it simply traders have got away with poor food and poor service for ever and this is the result? The fact people travel and can cook for themselves more.
Anyway, rant over and both establishments have bad reviews and a complaint to the Food Standards Agency.
